CLEP College Composition Exam 2026/2027
CLEP
College Composition
Practice Examination
Edition
90 Multiple-Choice Questions
2 Essay Prompts (Argumentative & Analytical/Synthesis)
Content Domains Covered:
1. Rhetorical Analysis
2. Argumentation & Persuasion
3. Sentence Structure & Grammar
4. Punctuation & Mechanics
5. Style & Clarity
6. Research & Documentation
1
, CLEP College Composition Exam 2026/2027
7. Reading Comprehension
8. Essay Writing
2
, CLEP College Composition Exam 2026/2027
Introduction
This practice examination is designed to simulate the CLEP College Composition exam, which assesses
the writing skills you would typically acquire in a first-year college-level composition course. The exam
is divided into two major components: a multiple-choice section consisting of 90 questions and a required
essay section with two prompts. The multiple-choice questions test your ability to identify and correct
errors in sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and style; to analyze rhetorical strategies and
arguments; to evaluate research documentation; and to demonstrate reading comprehension. The essay
prompts require you to compose well-organized, clearly written arguments and analytical responses.
The exam covers eight content domains: Rhetorical Analysis (Questions 1–12), Argumentation &
Persuasion (Questions 13–26), Sentence Structure & Grammar (Questions 27–44), Punctuation &
Mechanics (Questions 45–58), Style & Clarity (Questions 59–68), Research & Documentation (Questions
69–78), and Reading Comprehension (Questions 79–90). Section 8 contains the two essay prompts. Each
multiple-choice question includes the correct answer highlighted in bold cyan along with a rationale
explaining why the answer is correct. This format is intended for study and review purposes.
Timing recommendations: allow approximately 65 minutes for the multiple-choice section and 70
minutes for the essay section. Good luck!
3
CLEP
College Composition
Practice Examination
Edition
90 Multiple-Choice Questions
2 Essay Prompts (Argumentative & Analytical/Synthesis)
Content Domains Covered:
1. Rhetorical Analysis
2. Argumentation & Persuasion
3. Sentence Structure & Grammar
4. Punctuation & Mechanics
5. Style & Clarity
6. Research & Documentation
1
, CLEP College Composition Exam 2026/2027
7. Reading Comprehension
8. Essay Writing
2
, CLEP College Composition Exam 2026/2027
Introduction
This practice examination is designed to simulate the CLEP College Composition exam, which assesses
the writing skills you would typically acquire in a first-year college-level composition course. The exam
is divided into two major components: a multiple-choice section consisting of 90 questions and a required
essay section with two prompts. The multiple-choice questions test your ability to identify and correct
errors in sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and style; to analyze rhetorical strategies and
arguments; to evaluate research documentation; and to demonstrate reading comprehension. The essay
prompts require you to compose well-organized, clearly written arguments and analytical responses.
The exam covers eight content domains: Rhetorical Analysis (Questions 1–12), Argumentation &
Persuasion (Questions 13–26), Sentence Structure & Grammar (Questions 27–44), Punctuation &
Mechanics (Questions 45–58), Style & Clarity (Questions 59–68), Research & Documentation (Questions
69–78), and Reading Comprehension (Questions 79–90). Section 8 contains the two essay prompts. Each
multiple-choice question includes the correct answer highlighted in bold cyan along with a rationale
explaining why the answer is correct. This format is intended for study and review purposes.
Timing recommendations: allow approximately 65 minutes for the multiple-choice section and 70
minutes for the essay section. Good luck!
3
